Dreamer is a song about being allowed to dream and wanting to do something with your short time on earth. It was inspired by this feeling that as we grow up, we tend to default to the mundane, normal and let’s be honest - boring. It seemed like a feeling that a lot of our friends were experiencing, that itch you get when you just don’t want to accept that this is it and you want to do something bigger, better, maybe even a little bit crazy and unrealistic with your life

Dreamer

A song about putting yourself out of your comfort zone and the challenges that come with trying to find a new life and purpose, “New Friends” was initially written after Tom first made the move from Wales to London. 

“Thinking back to that time when I moved to this crazy city. I met some people who talked a lot of s**t and it took me a while to figure that out, and to figure out where I fit into things.” says Tom. 

Vividly recalling the people, place and feelings of that time; the track has become synonymous in Tom’s mind with a cartoon by celebrated Glaswegian cartoonist David Shrigley that graced the wall of his then apartment. 

“It’s an illustration of a group of cartoon characters with tiny legs and big circular faces.” remembers Tom. “All apart from this one who has a square face. The circular shaped guys pick him up, hold his corners up to an angle grinder and shape him into a circle just like them. Sometimes you meet new people you homogenise… or something profound like that. ”

Recorded by Broken Fires' own Justin Hendy
Mixed by Matt Lederman (Rural Alberta Advantage, !!!)
Mastered by Ryan Morey (Arcade Fire, Half Moon Run)

New Friends

New Friends - Edit

A song about putting yourself out of your comfort zone and the challenges that come with trying to find a new life and purpose, “New Friends” was initially written after Tom first made the move from Wales to London. 

“Thinking back to that time when I moved to this crazy city. I met some people who talked a lot of s**t and it took me a while to figure that out, and to figure out where I fit into things.” says Tom. 

Vividly recalling the people, place and feelings of that time; the track has become synonymous in Tom’s mind with a cartoon by celebrated Glaswegian cartoonist David Shrigley that graced the wall of his then apartment. 

“It’s an illustration of a group of cartoon characters with tiny legs and big circular faces.” remembers Tom. “All apart from this one who has a square face. The circular shaped guys pick him up, hold his corners up to an angle grinder and shape him into a circle just like them. Sometimes you meet new people you homogenise… or something profound like that. ” 

Comprising new tracks “New Friends”, “The Writer”, “Boundaries”, plus the previous Steve Lamacq / BBC6 Music championed single “Dreamer”; the EP as a whole was recorded over a few months at an array of venues and studios, with various collaborators from across the music scene also pitching-in. EP highlight “The Writer” was a track the group had wanted to finish for a long while. Surrounding the liberation and despair that comes with being on your own; the track has found a new meaning and profound resonance given the events of the last year. The finishing touches were perfected in a flat in London during lockdown, including a splash sound created by hitting a large broken ride cymbal with a whisk. Elsewhere, and in stark contrast to the former’s claustrophobic intimacy, EP closer “Boundaries” offers a more genteel and expansive offering. With the lead vocals and violins added at an old chapel in Monmouth; Welsh folk talent Angharad Jenkins recorded its moving string sections while the band entertained her daughter next to her feet, being careful not to make a squeak. 

Reflecting on the ‘New Friends’ EP, Tom says: 

“We think the EP shows our full range as a band. Full of dreamy folk, epic endings with layered strings and harmonies and probably one of the most stripped back tracks we’ve ever written” 

Allowing their indie foundations to morph into new genres and elements, the varied recording process also seeps its way into every aspect of the EP and puts the group’s dynamism on full display. From three-minute pop earworms as-heard on the title track “New Friends” or the effervescent alt/rock of previous single: “Dreamer”, to the emotional folk-tinged balladry of “The Writer” or the stirring closer “Boundaries”; it’s a release that shows the full range of Broken Fires’ talent in shining example.

Recorded by Broken Fires' own Justin Hendy 
Mixed by Matt Lederman (Rural Alberta Advantage, !!!) 
Mastered by Ryan Morey (Arcade Fire, Half Moon Run) 

Artwork by Tom Collins

Boundaries

The Writer

Midnight has an air of sadness and longing wrapped in nostalgia – the relentless driving groove of early LCD Soundsystem, soaring layered harmonies of Manchester Orchestra and guitar hooks reminiscent of The Cult. 

This is a song about regret, about our mistakes and waiting for that moment when we can make amends. Singer and guitarist Tom explains: ‘I wanted to write something that was about that second when, despite everything that has happened in the past we have a chance to change things – to repair. We all make so many mistakes. Screw up friendships. Say stupid things. Midnight – the moment when one day turns to the next – seemed like a neat metaphor for that second when things can change... or not as sometimes happens!’ 

Written on an old acoustic, the main melody and lyrics were thrown down using Garage Band in a day but this is a track that evolved gradually partly as a result of the weird circumstances surrounding the last two years. The drums, bass and guitars for the track were recorded at Mwnci Studios in West Wales before the pandemic. Produced by the band and Matt Lederman (Rural Alberta Advantage, !!!) who also mixed the record - layers of synth, dreamy arpeggio guitars, glockenspiel and vocals were added remotely from separate bedrooms and home studios across Wales (and Canada) during the UK’s period of intermittent full lockdowns over the last 18 months. The result is a 4-minute tour of the full range of the band’s sound, from a single arpeggiated synth to explosions of overlapping vocals, dreamy guitars and driving sixteenth note drum patterns.

Midnight

Midnight - Edit

Second single from the forthcoming second album HYMNS, due later this year. 

FFO: Manchester Orchestra, Frightened Rabbit, Arcade Fire. 

Recorded in West Wales by the band. 

Produced in Toronto, Canada by Matt Lederman. Mastered by Ryan Morey (Arcade Fire, Half Moon Run). 

Laid back Death Cab-esque drum patterns and cool americana guitars, the new single from Broken Fires makes you want to roll down the window of your getaway car (a 1967 Pontiac by the way) and drive off into the spring sunset. Except it’s a song about the morbid human fascination with serial killers… 

Sharks is written looking down on a convicted man in the dock of a Swansea courtroom. Guitarist and singer Gareth explains: “I think I had been watching too many Netflix real crime series… but there has always been something curious to me about what runs through the mind of those that find themselves standing in the dock looking out at the jury”. 

The final guitars were layered up over beers in Earlsfield South London but keys, violins and vocals added in living rooms separately during the lockdowns of 2021. The tracks were sent to Canada for finishing touches with mixing by Matt Lederman (Rural Alberta Advantage, !!!) and mastering by Ryan Morey (Arcade Fire). 

The laid back groove in the first half of Sharks reveals a different side to Broken Fires. But with what is becoming a trademark move, the song builds to a shattering crescendo with layered violins and enough guitar tracks to make Trent Reznor twitch. 

If you like a killer melody this is for you.

Sharks

Sharks - Edit

‘Underside’ is a work of contrasts. Musically, the bright new track from Broken Fires harks back to a halcyon heyday when Catfish and the Bottlemen all still liked each other. However, darker lyrical depths are soon revealed, entailing the painful complexities that come about following the dissolution of a relationship.

Vocalist Tom Stephens explains: “In my early 20s I was still a complete child! I can remember that feeling of a relationship breaking down, being gutted but also wanting to go out and go wild. So Underside is really about that. It’s a pop song about wanting to drown your sorrows in dive bars.”

‘Underside’ has the desperate edge of Active Bird Community, the core pop sensibilities of Catfish and a dose of early noughties, Pinkerton-era Weezer.

The breezy opening guitar line hides the dark streak running through the track, one that comes into fuller view in the minor-key middle section. The refrain “I’m hanging out on the underside of life” rings around your head before the track bursts into a solo and final chorus.
Drums were handled by Dan West (Junior Bill) and recorded in one take at Mwnci Studios in West Wales. Keys were added in Tom’s bedroom on an old battered Alesis Micron synth. Backing vocals were then remotely added by Broken Fires members Justin Carter and Gareth Hendry during the 2020 lockdowns.

Finally, the band managed to sneak in a single session together during a period of relaxation in Covid restrictions to add the final guitars. The track was then sent to esteemed producer Matt Lederman (!!!, Rural Alberta Advantage) in Canada for mixing.

‘Underside’ will be released on August 17th via Phwoar and Peace. The track will feature on Broken Fires’ forthcoming full-length album HYMNS, out October 28th via Phwoar and Peace on digital and limited edition vinyl.

Underside

Float and Land is a progressive alternative rock track that sees Broken Fires throw everything in their arsenal at you - 
 
Float & Land was written about the courage to believe you can give up something you’ve built for a better future. Singer and guitarist Tom explains “I wrote the lyrics about a friend who I could see was in a toxic relationship that was falling apart but worrying too much about someone else’s feelings rather than doing what they wanted to. Lots of people I know been there! I just felt like telling them - don’t be afraid to tear it all down and start again, you only get one go! But I knew they wouldn’t listen, so I thought I wrote this to get out my frustration I guess.” By the end of the 4.5 minutes you might find yourself questioning your life choices, just don’t end your relationship before thinking it through… 
 
A full demo of the track was layered up in a day in Justin’s bedroom with even the full drum pattern programmed on Pro Tools.“This was one that came together really quickly” guitarist and producer Justin explains. “We were in a real sweet spot with our writing. Tom had this riff and it all went from there. We co-wrote the outro on the spot, layered it all up on the demo and then went to the pub listening to it on headphones dead excited. Good times!” 
 
The band headed in to Mwnci Studios West Wales to lay down the full recording, nailing the rhythm section in a day and adding guitars both there and in an old church some months later to complete the puzzle. Matt Lederman (!!!, Rural Alberta Advantage) is again the mastermind behind the mixing desk with Ryan Morey (Arcade Fire, Funeral) adding the mastering shine. 
 
A tinge of Modest Mouse (with Jonny Marr of course) runs through the guitar lines. The melodic hooks and harmonies give a heavy nod to 
 
The song builds to an earth shattering crescendo that sees BF throwing absolutely everything in their arsenal at you - overlapping vocal lines, harmonies, multiple guitar melodies and unpredictable rhythmic changes. 
 
So if you’re in the middle of the Venn diagram for Foals rhythmic groove, Biffy Clyro ambitious progressive streak and Frightened Rabbit honest pop writing this is one you’ll want to check out. 
 
Float & Land is out September 14th on Phwoar and Peace. The track is taken from the forthcoming full length album “HYMNS” out October 28th on Phwoar and Peace and available to pre-order now on limited edition vinyl and digital download.

Float & Land

“Hiraeth: A Welsh word with no literal translation meaning a longing for something, especially home”. The only way to describe the tragedy and euphoria that washes over you as Trouble, the latest single from Broken Fires sophomore album “HYMNS” carries you back to your spiritual home. 

For fans of Frightened Rabbit, Biffy and Phoebe Bridgers this is Broken Fires most epic effort to date. The band throw absolutely everything at your ears: rumbling synth pads, violins, soaring guitars, intricate overlapping vocals and a bucket load of raw emotion. 

Trouble was the final song recorded at Mwnci Studios, West Wales as part of the sessions for the sophomore album HYMNS out 28 October. Gareth, Tom and Justin added vocals, synth pads and additional guitars from their bedrooms in Swansea, Wales and London in 2021 before sending the raw tracks to Toronto, Canada for mixing. 

Singer and guitarist Tom: “I cut up a camping mat, glued it to the sides of my wardrobe, put a duvet over my head and worked on that vocal outro for hours. I’m pretty sure that’s why the neighbours moved out”. 

Matt Lederman (!!!, Rural Alberta Advantage) instantly understood the vision for the song and added the final touches.

Trouble

We are Broken Fires. We write simple alternative pop songs with with big melodies. We record these in garages, kitchens and other peoples houses.

Broken Fires

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